JUPITER SEA & AIR SERVICES PVT. LTD, EGMORE – CHENNAI, INDIA.

 

E-MAIL : Robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in   Mobile : +91 98407 85202

 

 

Corporate News Letter for  Saturday  October  10,  2026

 

Today’s Exchange Rates

Currency ▲	Price	Change	%Change	Open	Prev.Close	Day's Low-High
USD/INR	96.78	0.00	0.00	96.68	96.78	96.68 - 96.80
EUR/USD	1.1178	-0.0019	-0.169685	1.1197	1.1197	1.1176 - 1.1213
GBP/INR	127.6579	-0.384995	-0.300676	127.7675	128.0429	127.6272 - 127.8625
EUR/INR	108.2133	-0.131798	-0.121646	108.3438	108.3451	108.2091 - 108.4431
USD/JPY	158.224	0.143997	0.091091	158.08	158.08	157.586 - 158.304
GBP/USD	1.3191	-0.0023	-0.17406	1.3214	1.3214	1.3185 - 1.3222
JPY/INR	0.6115	-0.0006	-0.09802	0.6122	0.6121	102.133 - 102.40

///                   Sea Cargo News            ///

India Moves to Reopen Mogalhat Land Port Through Talks

The Indian government is preparing to initiate discussions with Bangladesh to explore the reopening of the Mogalhat land port, aiming to restore cross-border trade and improve connectivity between the two countries.

The Mogalhat land port, located in Cooch Behar district of West Bengal along the India-Bangladesh border, has remained non-operational, limiting trade and movement through the route.

The proposed talks are expected to examine the feasibility of resuming operations and addressing the infrastructure and administrative requirements involved.

Reopening the port could provide an additional channel for bilateral trade, particularly for businesses in northern West Bengal and adjoining regions. It could also reduce dependence on other border crossings and support faster movement of goods between the two countries.

The initiative comes as India continues to explore measures to strengthen trade connectivity with neighbouring countries and improve the efficiency of land-based supply chains.

Officials are expected to discuss the operational framework, customs procedures, infrastructure readiness and other requirements with their Bangladeshi counterparts before a decision is taken on restarting the port.

If reopened, Mogalhat could contribute to regional economic activity by facilitating the movement of goods and strengthening commercial links between border communities on both sides.

Saudi Red Sea Authority Grants Operating Licences to AMAALA and Shura Marinas

The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has granted Red Sea Global (RSG) operating licences for AMAALA Marina and Shura Marina, strengthening the facilities’ readiness to welcome yachts and expanding integrated marine services along Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast.

SRSA Vice President of Coastal Tourism Operations Eng. Mohammed Bukhari handed over the licences to Raed Albasseet, Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer at RSG, in Riyadh.

The licences were issued under Saudi Arabia’s Regulation for the Design and Operation of Tourist Marinas, which establishes standards covering marina operations, health, safety and environmental protection. The regulatory framework is aimed at enhancing service quality, investor confidence and sustainable coastal tourism.

RSG has also launched its Yachting Network, bringing the management and operation of its marinas and yacht clubs along the Red Sea coast under a unified system to provide yacht owners, captains and crews with seamless access to berthing and marine services.

AMAALA Marina, part of AMAALA Yacht Club, offers 119 berths, while Shura Marina provides 159 berths. Together, the two marinas offer 278 berths and can accommodate yachts of up to 120 meters in length.

The development supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to strengthen the Red Sea as a global yachting and tourism destinations and contributes to the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. 

Xanthia Tanker Hits Two Cargo Ships Near Norway

Norwegian chemical tanker Xanthia collided with two cargo ships in Valderhaugfjorden near Ålesund early on October 4, with all three vessels sustaining damage. One of the cargo ships took on water, but no injuries were reported.

Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received a mayday call at around 1:37 a.m. local time. The three vessels were reportedly under way when the collision occurred in a relatively narrow section of the fjord.

Two were travelling north and one south, while poor visibility and darkness were reported in the area. Xanthia, operated by Norwegian shipping company Utkilen, is a 147-metre chemical tanker.

The vessel was sailing from Elnesvågen in Norway to Förby in Finland when the incident occurred. Xanthia remained at anchor after the collision and was reported to have no water ingress.

The other vessels were identified as Hav Frakt and Bergfjord. Around 30 crew members were aboard the three ships, with no evacuation required. Two vessels reached the Alesund Area under their own power, while the third anchored in the fjord.

A major response involving the Norwegian Navy frigate KNM Fridjot Nansen, rescue vessels, civilian boats and a rescue helicopter was launched following the mayday call. The helicopter later returned after authorities determined that an evacuation was not necessary.

Norwegian authorities have launched an investigation into the collision. The cause has not yet been established. Authorities are also assessing the damage to the vessels and monitoring the cargo ship that sustained water ingress.

Maersk, CMA CGM Set to End ASAS2 Partnership

Maersk and CMA CGM are set to end their cooperation on the ASAS2 service, marking a change in the carriers' network arrangements on the Asia–South America trade. The decision will result in changes to the existing service structure and vessel deployment.

Both carriers are expected to adjust their respective networks as they review capacity, port coverage and service schedules. The ASAS2 service provides connectivity between Asian markets and destinations in South America, supporting containerised trade between the two regions.

The service is used by exporters and importers moving a wide range of manufactured and consumer goods. Ending the cooperation will require customers to review future routing and sailing options. Depending on how the carriers reorganise their networks, cargo owners could see changes in port rotations, transit times and available capacity.

The move comes as major container shipping lines continue to reshape their networks in response to changing trade flows, vessel availability and market conditions. Carriers are increasingly reviewing partnerships and service structures to optimise fleet deployment and improve network efficiency.

For Maersk and CMA CGM, the end of the ASAS2 cooperation will allow each carrier greater flexibility in managing its own capacity and network strategy.

Customers using the service are expected to receive updated schedules and routing information as the changes are implemented. Freight Forwarders and shippers will need to assess alternative services to maintain smooth cargo flows between Asia and South America.

The development highlights the continuing evolution of global container shipping networks as carriers adjust cooperation agreements and service configurations to match changing market requirements.

Hambantota Port Surpasses One Million TEUs in Cumulative Container Throughput

Hambantota International Port (HIP) has surpassed the one-million-TEU milestone in cumulative container throughput since the commissioning of new quay cranes in 2025, highlighting the rapid expansion of its container-handling operations. HIP handled 428,036

TEUs in 2025 and a further 574,196 TEUs in 2026 year-to-date, taking cumulative throughput to 1,002,232 TEUs. The milestone reflects growing customer confidence and the port’s expanding role in regional and international container trade.

HIPG CEO Wilson Qu said the achievement demonstrated the progress made in developing Hambantota as a competitive container gateway.

He attributed the growth to close engagement with shipping lines, operational reliability and the port’s ability to respond to changing customer requirements.

MSC. HIP’s principal container-sector customer, has played a significant role in the port’s growth. In April 2026, the MSC Marie Leslie set a new single-vessel handling record at HIP with 7,968 container moves, equivalent to 13,620 TEUs. This surpassed records previously set by the MSC Ilenia and MSC Ruby in March.

HIP also recorded its highest ever monthly container throughput in June, handling 80,325 TEUs, supported by operational capacity and increased engagement with shipping lines amid disruptions affecting major global trade routes.

To accommodate continued growth, HIP is investing in additional equipment, berth capacity, container-yard infrastructure and reefer facilities. The expansion includes six new quay cranes and 16 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, forming part of a wider USD 108 million investment in container handling machinery and supporting assets. The new equipment is expected to be commissioned by February 2027.

Once operational, the equipment will enhance ship-to-shore and yard-handling capacity, improve vessel turnaround and support the utilisation of an additional 1,300 meters of berth space, taking HIP’s total container quay length to nearby two kilo meters. The container yard will also be expanded by 30%.

HIP Chief Operations Officer Tommy Yang said the investments were being aligned with customer demand and the port’s growth trajectory. The expanded equipment, berth, yard and reefer capacity is expected to enable HIP to handle higher volumes and larger vessels more efficiently.

The expansion programme is aimed at supporting HIP’s long term target of handling two million TEUs annually, strengthening Hambantota’s position as an emerging regional container gateway.

Iran Sets Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz

Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until seven conditions agreed under an interim understanding with the United States are met, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said on Sunday.

According to Iranian news outlet Nournews, Qalibaf said Tehran had recently received Washington’s response to its diplomatic proposal through a mediator, but insisted that Iran would not accept one-sided demands or prolonged negotiations.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran’s proposal could lead to the reopening of the strategic waterway within seven days if the United States accepts Iran’s conditions.

Addressing foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Tehran, Araqchi said the conditions were linked to commitments expected from Washington. He added that Iran preferred a diplomatic solution but warned that Tehran was prepared to respond if the United States resorted to military action again.

The strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy and shipping route, making its reopening a key concern for international trade and maritime markets.

///                  Air Cargo News             ///

My Freighter Expands Fleet, Targets 50 Freighters by 2030

My Freighter is planning a major expansion of its dedicated cargo fleet, with the airline targeting a fleet of 50 freighter aircraft by 2030. As part of its expansion strategy, the carrier plans to add four aircraft during 2026, increasing its capacity to serve the growing demand for air freight across key international markets.

The fleet expansion is aimed at strengthening My Freighter’s position in the air cargo sector and supporting the movement of time-sensitive and high-value shipments. Additional aircraft will allow the carrier to increase frequencies and expand its network as cargo demand develops.

The company’s 2030 target represents an aggressive growth strategy for its freighter operations. The planned additions are expected to provide greater capacity for e-commerce, general cargo and other international freight segments.

The expansion comes as air cargo operators continue to invest in dedicated freighter capacity amid changing global supply chain patterns. Demand for faster transportation has remained important for industries requiring reliable international connectivity.

My Freighter is also expected to evaluate new routes and markets as additional aircraft join its fleet. Expanding its network could enable the carrier to connect more cargo hubs and provide customers with additional routing options.

The planned fleet growth highlights the continuing investment in dedicated air freight capacity as airlines and logistics companies seek to capture opportunities in the expanding global cargo market.

With four aircraft planned for addition in 2026 and a longer term target of 50 freighters by 2030, My Freighter is positioning fleet expansion as a key part of its growth strategy.

NX Group, JAL Strengthen Air Cargo Network

Nippon Express Group (NX Group) and Japan Airlines (JAL) are strengthening their air cargo cooperation as they expand connectivity and develop more efficient logistics solutions for customers.

The collaboration is expected to improve access to air freight capacity across key international markets, supporting the movement of time-sensitive and high-value shipments.

By combining JAL's air cargo network with NX Group's global logistics infrastructure, the companies can offer customers broader routing options and integrated transportation services.

The partnership is particularly relevant for manufacturers and exporters seeking reliable international supply-chain connections.

The expanded cooperation comes amid continued changes in global trade and air freight demand. Companies are increasingly looking for flexible transport options as shipping disruptions, longer ocean transit times and changing production patterns influence supply-chain decisions.

NX Group can leverage its freight forwarding, warehousing and customs capabilities to complement JAL airline’s network. This integration can help streamline cargo movements from origin to final destination and improve overall supply-chain efficiency.

The companies are also expected to benefit from growing demand for specialised air freight services, including shipments of electronics, automotive components, pharmaceuticals and other high value products.

Strengthening the air cargo network will give NX Group and JAL greater flexibility in responding to changing cargo flows while supporting customers across Asia and international markets.

The cooperation highlights the growing importance of partnerships between airlines and logistics providers as the air freight industry seeks to expand connectivity, optimise capacity and provide more integrated services to global shippers.

Challenge suspends Navi Mumbai freighters due to operational challenges

                            Source: Challenge Group

Freighter operator Challenge Group has suspended its freighter flights to the recently opened Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) as the Indian airport faces operational challenges.

Challenge Group said in a LinkedIn post that the current operational setup “does not yet enable us to deliver our cargo services with the level of reliability and certainty we require”.

“While the circumstances leading to this situation are outside our control, the decision to suspend our service is a deliberate one,” it added.

“Protecting our customers, their cargo and the reliability of their supply chains remains our priority. Our teams are actively evaluating alternative options to maintain strong connectivity between India and our international network, and we expect to communicate details of a new service to the market shortly.

“We remain committed to Mumbai and look forward to resuming our operations once the necessary conditions are in place to support our cargo services reliably and effectively.”

Freighter operators have been asked to temporarily move their flights from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) to NMIA while work is carried out on cargo infrastructure at CSMIA.

The work is expected to take 10 months and was due to start in August.

However, the move has been met with criticism, with local cargo groups arguing that it is not yet a viable alternative.

On social media, others have pointed out that the airport has poor connectivity with Mumbai and takes around 2.5-3 hours to reach the city.

Others have said the switch to the new airport happened in a rush and there was not time to ensure all operational processes were ready for the move.

NMIA opened its doors back in December, but freighter operations did not get underway until 1 August, when an IndiGo freighter took off from the airport.

Silk Way West, Cathay Cargo, Hong Kong Air Cargo have all confirmed the shift of their freighter operations to the new airport, while Lufthansa Cargo is also understood to have shifted its operations to the new airport.

Xeneta: Shippers want short-term deals as demand squeezes capacity

              Image: © Shane Hoggart/Shutterstock.com

Global airfreight volumes were up again in September and continued to outpace the increase in capacity, but shippers appear reluctant to commit to longer-term capacity deals, according to Xeneta.

The analyst said that global airfreight volumes delivered another month of steady growth in September, up 6% year-on-year, continuing the upward trend seen in August and July, when volumes rose 6% and 5%.

Volume growth in September continued to outpace the increase in capacity, which rose 2% versus a year ago after flatlining in July and August. This contributed to a two percentage points increase in Xeneta’s dynamic load factor to 62%.

Sustained demand has slowed anticipated rate reductions. Global air cargo spot rates averaged out as 27% higher than the same month last year.

Rates edged up 2% month-on-month, consistent with the usual seasonal firming at the end of the third quarter and as jet fuel prices climbed due to continuing tensions in the Middle East to roughly double their pre-conflict level.

                                        Source: © Xeneta

Alongside airfreight volumes outpacing capacity, Xeneta found most shippers were seeking short-term capacity contracts.

Analysis of new contracts valid starting from the third quarter of this year shows 60% were for three months or less, compared with 25% in the third quarter of 2025 and 47% in the second quarter of this year.

Three-month agreements alone accounted for 42% of new contracts, up from 16% a year earlier, while the share of 12-month contracts fell from 40% to 25%. Contracts of more than 12 months have all but disappeared, at 3%.

Xeneta’s chief airfreight officer, Niall van de Wouw, said shippers are increasingly looking for ‘floating mechanisms’ with a base rate that’s adjusted depending on what’s happening in the marketplace.

“There is a high degree of realism in the way shippers are approaching the market,” he said. “There remains a lot of instability and that’s making it almost impossible for shippers to make long-term capacity deals without having T&Cs in place to deal with these volatile conditions.

“A one-year fixed rate deal doesn’t fit the current conditions. Shippers are looking to build mechanisms which add flexibility to their commercial relationships with forwarders, and which will help to ensure they hold across the year.

“A one-year deal without any adjustment mechanism is becoming more the exception than the rule. If they do exist, not many will survive the upcoming 12 months.”

                                     Source: © Xeneta

E-commerce insights

Xeneta’s analysis showed China–Europe e-commerce exports are still falling following the EU’s removal of the de minimis exemption for low-value parcels on 1 July, while China–US e-commerce exports have rebounded.

China’s low-value and e-commerce exports to Europe fell again in August, down 40% year on year, according to Xeneta and Trade and Transport Group analysis of the latest China Customs data. This was a steeper decline than July’s 25% drop as the EU’s €3 per item customs duty continues to bite.

E-commerce exports to the US, by contrast, were 17% higher year on year in August, continuing their recovery from the removal of the US de minimis threshold in 2025, albeit from a lowered base.

                                Source: © Xeneta

The divergence is showing up in freight rates. The gap between China–US and China–Europe air spot rates has widened since the EU duty took effect. Even so, China to Western Europe spot rates rebounded 10% month on month in September to $4.26 per kg, reversing the 6% decline in August and the 22% fall in July, as outbound China demand picked up in the weeks running into Golden Week.

                                        Source: © Xeneta

As anticipated, most major corridors saw spot rates rise month-on-month in September after the summer decline. Northeast Asia to Europe rose 5% to $4.74 per kg, Northeast Asia to North America was also up 5% to $6.03 per kg, while Southeast Asia to Europe rose 3%.

Transatlantic rates firmed in both directions, with Europe to North America up 2% and North America to Europe up 4% in September compared to August. The only corridors to soften were North America to Southeast Asia, down 1% and Europe to Southeast Asia, down 2%.

Compared with late February, before the escalation of the Iran war, spot rates into the Middle East remain the most elevated: up 91% from South Asia and up 80% from Europe in week 39 (21–27 September).

Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia to North America stood 34% and 29% above late-February levels respectively, supported by e-commerce demand recovery and AI-related shipments.

Europe to North America remained the exception at 20% below late-February levels, though that gap has narrowed from down 25% in August as summer belly capacity gradually comes out of the market.

                                 Source: © Xeneta

Change needed

While acknowledging a global airfreight market on track for around 4% year-on-year demand growth in 2026 will surpass many industry observers’ expectations at the start of the year, van de Wouw expects shippers to hold out for what they see as a fairer way to manage market changes.

This, he says, is also reflected in more shippers aligning with Xeneta to increase their visibility of airfreight pricing.

“The high percentage of short-term, 3-month deals we are recording is one of the current mechanisms shippers are using while they take time to negotiate what they see as a fairer way to buy capacity. Our position is that this should be based on the all-in rates airlines are charging freight forwarders, which we see as a better floating mechanism than a blunt fuel surcharge,” he said.

In the meantime, van de Wouw expects ‘more of the same’ for global air cargo to the end of the year.

“October is under way and we not picking up signals of a strong peak season from our shipper and forwarder community. What will happen in Q4 is too early to call, but the indicators currently point towards a muted final quarter of the year, as outlined in Xeneta’s mid-year outlook,” van de Wouw added.

One wildcard, he said, is on the water. Ocean schedule reliability has never recovered to pre-pandemic levels, and renewed Red Sea disruption, compounded by port congestion delaying container releases, has pushed Asia to US West Coast ocean rates back towards pandemic-era highs.

“When ocean becomes this unreliable and this expensive, some volume moves to air. We are not yet seeing that in the September data, and it doesn’t change our view of a muted peak season, but it is the factor we are watching most closely,” van de Wouw said.

Shifting trade policy, such as the recent partial easing of China–US tariffs, adds a further layer of uncertainty, though the market has so far absorbed such changes without a visible break in trend.

Aviation Connect 2026: Air Cargo Philosophy

Aviation Connect returned to the Grand Hyatt in Athens, Greece, this year – even broader than before, with the addition of two more streams, bringing the total to eight. From 29SEP26-01OCT26, a new dedicated focus on GSSA and Cargo Airport joined the existing ASA, ULD Care, Air Freight Pharma, GSE & RAMP OPS, RFS, and ACHL agendas.

The 8^th floor hotel pool area with its spectacular view of the Acropolis, provided the backdrop to the Women in Air Cargo and CEO Award ceremonies on the first evening, and the well-known beach party venue on 30SEP26 rounded off a varied, thought-provoking conference program. Here are CargoForwarder Global’s impressions.

           Chris Notter provides food for thought. Image: CFG

Though coming back to the Grand Hyatt in Athens where the ACHL had been held back in 2022 and 2023 (complete with its annual beach party at Bolivar on the Wednesday night), felt familiar, this year’s Aviation Connect stood out in two very pleasing points – for one, the audience appears to be becoming younger and more diverse, and two: there is a palpable shift (for the most part) from company sales pitch presentations to truly sharing learnings and best-demonstrated practices with the industry.

Aviation Connect in numbers
The Aviation Connect/Air Cargo Handling Logistics (ACHL) Conference is always a rich melting pot of airline executives, general sales agents, ground handlers, handling agents, airports, digital innovators, industry authorities and experts, RFS providers, ULD managers, Pharma specialists, and many other stakeholders involved in air cargo and aviation.

With registered numbers of roughly 600 attendees, this time, attendance was a little lower than usual – a fact that some participants told CFG, appeared to be down to cost-cutting measures which could become even more intense next year. Nevertheless, attendance in the conference hall and stream rooms was good. 40 exhibitors welcomed people to their booths, and a number of companies had opted for private meeting rooms for their one-to-one customer discussions.

Eva International Media once again saw to it that no attendee went hungry, and were praised for their detailed planning and conference delivery – including last-minute open-air heating adaptations when the Greek weather gods decided to drop the usual temperature a few degrees lower than normal for this time of year.

Rooftop Awards
The Women in Air Cargo Awards were held in the open air, pool-side area on the hotel’s 8^th floor on 29SEP26, once again celebrating the inspiring women within our industry, nominated by their companies and peers.

The winners included: Phaedra den Hertog, Chief Experience Officer (CXO), Awery Aviation Software – IT Category; Nina Strippel, Managing Director, Wallenborn – Road Feeder Services Category; Grace Kelly, Director Commercial Strategy, ACL Airshop – Supply Chain Partnership Category; Stephanie Rajzbaum, Managing Director of TCR North America – GSE Category; Ghariba Suleiman, Director, Cargo & Logistics Partnerships, King Salman International Airport – Airports Category; Lubna Allaham, Senior Manager Cargo Customer Experience, Cargo Commercial, Etihad – Airline Category; Kritika Seth, Executive Director, Allied Aviation – GSSA Category; Celine Hourcade, Vice President, Global Head of ESG / Sustainability, SATS – Category Cargo Handling Agent.

A new award was also launched to honor outstanding CEOs in 6 categories. All winners were all handed their awards by Chris Notter on behalf of Eva International Media, and TIACA’s Roos Bakker as sponsor.

Aviation Connect in topics and takeaways
While the usual topic areas of digitalization, automation/robotics, AI, talent attraction and retention, peppered the agenda, the presentations and panels took a deep-dive into the topics, offering learnings and discussion points. Danita Waterfall-Brizzi, moderating the new Cargo Airport track, pointed out that a cargo airport is no longer just a place, but a logistics platform within the whole supply chain and that investments in airport development must be able to answer to the customers’ shipping needs.

David Kerr’s GSSA track explored the spectrum of GSA scenarios and the role of tech in ensuring efficient operations (but also dealing with the topic of cybersecurity), Mohamed Hanno’s Aviation Ground Services stream talked about People, Predictability and Partnerships, the importance of trust in those partnerships, and ensuring that people and not AI are in the driving seat.

Stavros Evangelakakis introduced Cool Corridor as a new buzzword and posed the question of sustainable reserve logistics. David Smorenburg. Representing the RFS stream, said the objective of the event was to ask difficult questions, set objectives and build connections, and Henrik Ambak offered a range of topics for the ACHL stream, including robotics, aviation, sustainability, drones, RFS and airport challenges, and teasing “The Big Reveal” (see separate article in this week’s CFG) as an improvement catalyst for the complete supply chain.

Particular highlights
The new GSSA track centered on selling certainty rather than price. Kritika Seth advised: “Do not sacrifice tomorrow’s rate to win today’s shipment.” Claudius Pereira argued that 2026 is a retention market, where quote speed, practical SLAs and exception handling decide who keeps customers: “A quote is not a sale. A booking is not loyalty.” Julia Knecht Ostwaldt’s IT security talk demonstrated a detailed safe-guarding concept and underlined the message that “we don’t just move cargo, we move trust.”

dnata’s Guillaume Crozier shared candid lessons from the company’s new and highly automated AMS facility (FB17), and how these would be applied to upcoming projects in Zurich, Azerbaijan, Milan and Dubai’s AMIA. His advice was to pace innovation and “Don’t play with AI until you get your data level sorted!” Fraunhofer IML’s Harald Sieke followed, forecasting that humanoid robots will come in 3-5 years and operations must become “robot ready” first. Kai Domscheit’s line was “Context is the path to autonomy,” declaring that “Beyond systems, Saas is dead!” The data panel concluded that missing or wrong data can halt automated systems. Emirates described having 250 data analysts and building AI tools with a human always in the loop, agreeing that “Context is incredibly important”.

Wrap up and the final panel
A student and professor panel on the last day, explored why air cargo isn’t seen as an attractive career. Diarto Aalders warned against presenting an industry that doesn’t exist, meaning highlighting glamorous F1 and pharma cargo shipments and deflecting from a “dark, dusty warehouse”. The panel called for internships, guest lectures and joint airport tours.

Track chairs then summarized their sessions. The GSSA track stressed earning trust and repeat business. The cargo airport track urged people to think beyond their job descriptions. ULD Care’s Bob Rogers described the “UnLoved Device”, with around a million units in circulation still run on paper-based processes.

The RFS recap noted high-tech cargo offsetting the e-commerce dip, and US ULD damage estimated at USD 300 million a year. The pharma session noted that cool-chain cargo is 4% of volume but 28% of revenue, and that Africa’s airlift shortage has serious human consequences. The GSE session highlighted pooling and eGSE economics, and warned of talent attrition and leadership gaps.

Data quality, collaboration, and people were three common threads throughout the conference – with the greatest emphasis on the latter. People drive change, innovation, and success.

Next year, new location
The next Aviation Connect/ACHL conference is scheduled for 02-04NOV27 and will be taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, for the first time – at a particularly beautiful hotel: the Epic Sana Marquês.

Logistics – combining Human and Artificial Intelligence

The transportation industry, with all its diverse facets, is on the threshold of converging humanoid and artificial intelligence. This opens up unimagined business opportunities but also allows AI, without proper oversight, to evade human control and interact autonomously.

There have been plenty of alarming examples of AI running amok in recent days. DHL’s latest Logistics Trend Radar explores this dichotomous relationship and its implications for the logistics industry. 

DHL’s latest Logistics Trend Radar spans from High Impact (above) to Low Impact (below) – credit: DHL

The very first words of the DHL study indicate where things are headed: “AI takes action,” is the opening statement. And the analysis goes to say: “As intelligent systems become increasingly capable of planning, deciding and acting autonomously, organizations must rethink skills, safety, governance and employee experience while building more resilient and sustainable supply chains.

This gives them an overarching management and coordination role since Agentic AI can autonomously plan, decide, and act toward defined goals, enabling closer collaboration between intelligent technologies and human expertise”. In short: AI in logistics is evolving from assistance to autonomy, the authors of the DHL Trend Radar emphasize. However, they also don’t exclude major imminent challenges: if human oversight and guidance are lacking, AI can become a risk factor.

“The next chapter is about action”
The study highlights new developments reflecting AI’s influence in expanding beyond operational processes. AI Commerce is transforming how consumers and businesses discover and purchase products, Compute Economy highlights the strategic importance of computing infrastructure and data center logistics, and Humanoids represent an emerging, longer-term trend that could redefine AI-enabled automation in physical environments, because robots can take over physical tasks. Together, these trends signal further transformation across digital and physical supply chains, from AI-assisted purchasing journeys to AI-enabled automation in warehouses.

“Until now, AI has helped people perform tasks more efficiently. The next chapter is about action,” says Klaus Dohrmann, Vice President of Innovation and Trend Research, DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation. “We’re entering an era of autonomous and physical AI, where intelligent systems can actively perceive the world, navigate complex environments, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.”

Significant transformations in the world of work
But what impact does this new, transformative role of AI have on the world of work, and what changes does it bring about? In its Logistics Radar, DHL speaks of portable sensors, remote operations, collaborative robotics, and AI-powered workplace assistants that help create safer, more productive, and more engaging work environments.

By reducing repetitive tasks and supporting day-to-day decision-making, these technologies allow employees to focus on higher-value activities such as problem-solving, customer service, and operational oversight.

DHL thus paints a picture of the classic division of labor: at the top are the planners and decision-makers; at the bottom are those who put the concepts into practice, humans and humanoids, while the later can operate 24/7/365 – without union representation or voice.

What happens to the losers?
The impact of these technologies will reshape hundreds of roles spanning frontline operations, technical professions, and knowledge-based functions, creating demand for new skills and new ways of working. For business leaders, the challenge is no longer simply introducing new technologies, but ensuring employees have the skills, confidence, and support to use them effectively.

Social scientists and labor laws specialists, however, view this development with skepticism. They point out that many people may be overwhelmed by the new technologies – in part due to a lack of educational opportunities – and would therefore be excluded from participation. This, they argue, would create a modern ‘proletariat’ that would compete with humanoid robots, with incalculable political and social consequences.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the above news letter.                                                    

Robert Sands

Joint Managing Director

Jupiter Sea & Air Services Pvt Ltd

Casa Blanca, 3rd Floor

11, Casa Major Road, Egmore

Chennai – 600 008. India.

GST Number : 33AAACJ2686E1ZS.

Tel : + 91 44 2819 0171 / 3734 / 4041

Fax : + 91 44 2819 0735

Mobile : + 91 98407 85202

E-mail : robert.sands@jupiterseaair.co.in

Website : www.jupiterseaair.com 1Branches  : Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Tuticorin.

Associate Offices : New Delhi, Kolkatta, Cochin & Hyderabad.

 

Thanks  to  :  Container  News,  Indian Seatrade, Cargo Forwarder Global  &  Air Cargo News.